2.Distribution characteristics of smoking behavior among adult twins in China
Shunkai LIU ; Wenjing GAO ; Weihua CAO ; Jun LYU ; Canqing YU ; Shengfeng WANG ; Tao HUANG ; Dianjianyi SUN ; Chunxiao LIAO ; Yuanjie PANG ; Ruqin GAO ; Min YU ; Jinyi ZHOU ; Xianping WU ; Zhong DONG ; Fan WU ; Dezheng WANG ; Zhihua XU ; Yu LIU ; Jianrui WANG ; Jie YIN ; Shengli YIN ; Liming LI
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(7):1090-1096
This study aims to describe the population and regional distribution characteristics of smoking behavior among adult twins in the China Twin Registry (CNTR), as well as the concordance rates for smoking behavior in monozygotic and dizygotic twins, and estimate the heritability. The study population included adult twins in CNTR who had smoking questionnaire data. A random-effects regression model was used to describe the distribution of smoking behavior among different subgroups based on various characteristics. The concordance of smoking behavior between different zygosity groups was calculated, and heritability was estimated. A total of 28 444 twin pairs were included in this study, with an average age of (36.6±12.0) years. Among male twins, 41.2% were current smokers, while only 1.2% of females smoked. Higher smoking rates were observed among male smokers in the 50-59 age group ( z=23.0, P<0.001), northern regions ( z=2.9, P<0.01), rural areas ( z=-5.2, P<0.001), those who were divorced/widowed ( z=3.8, P<0.001), and first-born twins ( z=-4.3, P<0.001), while lower smoking rates were found in those with higher education ( z=-16.1, P<0.001) and unmarried individuals ( z=-16.0, P<0.001). The smoking concordance rate for male monozygotic twins was 69.6%, significantly higher than the 57.3% concordance rate for dizygotic twins ( χ 2=105.0, P<0.05). The heritability of smoking behavior in male twins was estimated at 28.9% (95% CI: 24.3%-33.4%). Stratified analyses showed differences in heritability across regions and age groups: the heritability in northern regions was 32.6% (95% CI: 27.3%-38.0%), higher than the 21.0% (95% CI: 12.4%-29.5%) observed in southern regions; the highest heritability of 35.1% (95% CI: 26.3%-43.9%) was found in the 18-29 age group, with heritability decreasing with age. In conclusion, the smoking rate and influencing factors in the twin population are similar to those in the general population, with unique characteristics, such as higher smoking rates in first-born twins. Genetic factors have a significant impact on smoking behavior.
3.Association between DNA methylation clock and obesity-related indicators:A longi-tudinal twin study
Shunkai LIU ; Weihua CAO ; Jun LV ; Canqing YU ; Tao HUANG ; Dianjianyi SUN ; Chunxiao LIAO ; Yuanjie PANG ; Runhua HU ; Ruqin GAO ; Min YU ; Jinyi ZHOU ; Xianping WU ; Yu LIU ; Wenjing GAO ; Liming LI
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(3):456-464
Objective:To explore the relationship between obesity indicators and DNA methylation clocks acceleration,and to analyze their temporal sequence.Methods:Data were obtained from two sur-veys conducted in 2013 and 2017-2018 by the Chinese National Twin Registry.Peripheral blood DNA methylation data were measured using the Illumina Infinium Human Methylation 450K BeadChip and EPIC BeadChip.DNA methylation clocks/acceleration metrics(GrimAA,PCGrimAA and Dunedin-PACE)were calculated using the DNA methylation online tool(https://dnamage.genetics.ucla.edu/)or R code provided by researchers.Obesity indicators included weight,body mass index(BMI),waist circumference,waist-hip ratio,and waist-height ratio.A total of 1 070 twin individuals were included in the cross-sectional analysis,comprising 378 monozygotic(MZ)twin pairs and 155 dizygotic(DZ)twin pairs for within-pair analysis.Mixed-effects models were used to examine the associations between obesity indicators and DNA methylation clocks,as well as their acceleration measures.The longitudinal analysis included 314 twin individuals,comprising 95 MZ twin pairs and 62 DZ twin pairs for within-pair analy-sis.Cross-lagged panel models were applied to further explore the temporal relationships between obesity and DNA methylation clock indicators.All analyses were conducted both in the full twin sample and separately within MZ and DZ twin pairs.Results:In the cross-sectional analysis population,monozygotic twins accounted for 71.0%,males for 68.0%,and the mean chronological age was(49.9±12.1)years.In the longitudinal analysis population,monozygotic twins accounted for 60.5%,males for 60.8%,with a mean baseline chronological age of(50.4±10.2)years and a mean follow-up duration of(4.6±0.6)years.Except for the waist-to-hip ratio,which was significantly higher at follow-up com-pared with baseline,no statistically significant differences were observed in the means of other obesity in-dicators between baseline and follow-up.Correlation analysis revealed that weight,BMI,waist circumfe-rence,waist-hip ratio(WHR),and waist-height ratio(WHtR)were positively correlated with Dunedin-PACE in all the twins,with WHtR showing the strongest association(β=0.21,95%CI:0.11 to 0.31).Weight and BMI were negatively associated with GrimAA(β=-0.03,95%CI:-0.05 to-0.01;β=-0.07,95%CI:-0.12 to-0.02),while weight was negatively associated with PCGrim-AA(β=-0.02,95%CI:-0.03 to 0.00).However,within-twin-pair analyses showed no statistically significant correlations.Cross-lagged panel model analysis indicated that higher baseline weight might lead to increased GrimAA at follow-up,while elevated baseline weight,BMI,and waist circumference might increase PCGrimAA.Higher baseline WHR was associated with increased DunedinPACE at follow-up.Conclusion:Obesity indicators correlate with DNA methylation clock acceleration metrics.Baseline obesity may influence changes in certain DNA methylation clock indicators over time,suggesting that obesity could exert long-term health effects by accelerating DNA methylation aging.However,these associations may be confounded by shared genetic or environmental factors among the twins.
4.Distribution characteristics of smoking behavior among adult twins in China
Shunkai LIU ; Wenjing GAO ; Weihua CAO ; Jun LYU ; Canqing YU ; Shengfeng WANG ; Tao HUANG ; Dianjianyi SUN ; Chunxiao LIAO ; Yuanjie PANG ; Ruqin GAO ; Min YU ; Jinyi ZHOU ; Xianping WU ; Zhong DONG ; Fan WU ; Dezheng WANG ; Zhihua XU ; Yu LIU ; Jianrui WANG ; Jie YIN ; Shengli YIN ; Liming LI
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(7):1090-1096
This study aims to describe the population and regional distribution characteristics of smoking behavior among adult twins in the China Twin Registry (CNTR), as well as the concordance rates for smoking behavior in monozygotic and dizygotic twins, and estimate the heritability. The study population included adult twins in CNTR who had smoking questionnaire data. A random-effects regression model was used to describe the distribution of smoking behavior among different subgroups based on various characteristics. The concordance of smoking behavior between different zygosity groups was calculated, and heritability was estimated. A total of 28 444 twin pairs were included in this study, with an average age of (36.6±12.0) years. Among male twins, 41.2% were current smokers, while only 1.2% of females smoked. Higher smoking rates were observed among male smokers in the 50-59 age group ( z=23.0, P<0.001), northern regions ( z=2.9, P<0.01), rural areas ( z=-5.2, P<0.001), those who were divorced/widowed ( z=3.8, P<0.001), and first-born twins ( z=-4.3, P<0.001), while lower smoking rates were found in those with higher education ( z=-16.1, P<0.001) and unmarried individuals ( z=-16.0, P<0.001). The smoking concordance rate for male monozygotic twins was 69.6%, significantly higher than the 57.3% concordance rate for dizygotic twins ( χ 2=105.0, P<0.05). The heritability of smoking behavior in male twins was estimated at 28.9% (95% CI: 24.3%-33.4%). Stratified analyses showed differences in heritability across regions and age groups: the heritability in northern regions was 32.6% (95% CI: 27.3%-38.0%), higher than the 21.0% (95% CI: 12.4%-29.5%) observed in southern regions; the highest heritability of 35.1% (95% CI: 26.3%-43.9%) was found in the 18-29 age group, with heritability decreasing with age. In conclusion, the smoking rate and influencing factors in the twin population are similar to those in the general population, with unique characteristics, such as higher smoking rates in first-born twins. Genetic factors have a significant impact on smoking behavior.
5.Association between DNA methylation clock and obesity-related indicators:A longi-tudinal twin study
Shunkai LIU ; Weihua CAO ; Jun LV ; Canqing YU ; Tao HUANG ; Dianjianyi SUN ; Chunxiao LIAO ; Yuanjie PANG ; Runhua HU ; Ruqin GAO ; Min YU ; Jinyi ZHOU ; Xianping WU ; Yu LIU ; Wenjing GAO ; Liming LI
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(3):456-464
Objective:To explore the relationship between obesity indicators and DNA methylation clocks acceleration,and to analyze their temporal sequence.Methods:Data were obtained from two sur-veys conducted in 2013 and 2017-2018 by the Chinese National Twin Registry.Peripheral blood DNA methylation data were measured using the Illumina Infinium Human Methylation 450K BeadChip and EPIC BeadChip.DNA methylation clocks/acceleration metrics(GrimAA,PCGrimAA and Dunedin-PACE)were calculated using the DNA methylation online tool(https://dnamage.genetics.ucla.edu/)or R code provided by researchers.Obesity indicators included weight,body mass index(BMI),waist circumference,waist-hip ratio,and waist-height ratio.A total of 1 070 twin individuals were included in the cross-sectional analysis,comprising 378 monozygotic(MZ)twin pairs and 155 dizygotic(DZ)twin pairs for within-pair analysis.Mixed-effects models were used to examine the associations between obesity indicators and DNA methylation clocks,as well as their acceleration measures.The longitudinal analysis included 314 twin individuals,comprising 95 MZ twin pairs and 62 DZ twin pairs for within-pair analy-sis.Cross-lagged panel models were applied to further explore the temporal relationships between obesity and DNA methylation clock indicators.All analyses were conducted both in the full twin sample and separately within MZ and DZ twin pairs.Results:In the cross-sectional analysis population,monozygotic twins accounted for 71.0%,males for 68.0%,and the mean chronological age was(49.9±12.1)years.In the longitudinal analysis population,monozygotic twins accounted for 60.5%,males for 60.8%,with a mean baseline chronological age of(50.4±10.2)years and a mean follow-up duration of(4.6±0.6)years.Except for the waist-to-hip ratio,which was significantly higher at follow-up com-pared with baseline,no statistically significant differences were observed in the means of other obesity in-dicators between baseline and follow-up.Correlation analysis revealed that weight,BMI,waist circumfe-rence,waist-hip ratio(WHR),and waist-height ratio(WHtR)were positively correlated with Dunedin-PACE in all the twins,with WHtR showing the strongest association(β=0.21,95%CI:0.11 to 0.31).Weight and BMI were negatively associated with GrimAA(β=-0.03,95%CI:-0.05 to-0.01;β=-0.07,95%CI:-0.12 to-0.02),while weight was negatively associated with PCGrim-AA(β=-0.02,95%CI:-0.03 to 0.00).However,within-twin-pair analyses showed no statistically significant correlations.Cross-lagged panel model analysis indicated that higher baseline weight might lead to increased GrimAA at follow-up,while elevated baseline weight,BMI,and waist circumference might increase PCGrimAA.Higher baseline WHR was associated with increased DunedinPACE at follow-up.Conclusion:Obesity indicators correlate with DNA methylation clock acceleration metrics.Baseline obesity may influence changes in certain DNA methylation clock indicators over time,suggesting that obesity could exert long-term health effects by accelerating DNA methylation aging.However,these associations may be confounded by shared genetic or environmental factors among the twins.
6.The correlation between brain functional network connectivity and inflammatory cytokines in patients with bipolar disorder II depressive episodes
Shilin SUN ; Guanmao CHEN ; Pan CHEN ; Shu XIAO ; Shuming ZHONG ; Shunkai LAI ; Yanbin JIA ; Li HUANG ; Ying WANG
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2023;32(8):700-706
Objective:To investigate the functional connectivity of default mode network (DMN) and limbic system, the expression level of inflammatory cytokine and their correlation in bipolar disorder type Ⅱ(BDⅡ) patients with depressive episodes.Methods:Thirty-three BD Ⅱ patients with depressive episodes and forty-six healthy controls were recruited to complete the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). After image preprocessing, the DMN and limbic system were extracted from the image data by independent component analysis (ICA), so as to compare the differences of functional connectivity of resting brain network between the patients and the controls.Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8(IL-8), interleukin-10(IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and C-C motif chemokine ligand 4 (CCL4) in patients and healthy controls were detected.The correlation between functional connectivity of different brain regions and inflammatory cytokines was analyzed.SPSS 17.0 software was used for data statistical analysis.The two samples were compared using t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test, and Spearman was used for correlation testing. Results:In BDⅡ patients, the functional connectivity of the right medial prefrontal cortex(cluster-size=7 voxel, cluster-level PGRF<0.05, MNI: x=6, y=54, z=9, t=-3.765) and the left superior frontal gyrus(cluster-size=10 voxel, cluster-level PGRF<0.05, MNI: x=-21, y=54, z=15, t=-4.139) in DMN decreased, while the left cerebellum Ⅳ and Ⅴ lobules of limbic system (cluster-size=21 voxel, cluster-level PGRF<0.05, MNI: x=-15, y=-24, z=-30, t=4.468) and cerebellar tonsil of left cerebellum posterior lobe(cluster-size=8 voxel, cluster-level PGRF<0.05, MNI: x=-15, y=-51, z=-45, t=4.138) in the limbic system increased.Compared with the healthy controls, the serum levels of IL-10(7.39 (6.33, 9.32) pg/mL vs 6.54 (5.84, 7.39) pg/mL, Z=-2.937, P=0.003)and CCL4 (39.31 (25.77, 68.70) pg/mL vs 31.30 (20.32, 40.89) pg/mL, Z=-2.209, P=0.027) were higher in BDⅡ patients.The functional connectivity of the left cerebellum Ⅳ and Ⅴ lobules was positively correlated with the serum levels of IL-10 ( r=0.432, P=0.031) and that of the cerebellar tonsil of left cerebellum posterior lobe was positively correlated with the serum levels of IL-10 ( r=0.429, P=0.032) and CCL4 ( r=0.402, P=0.046). Conclusion:The functional connectivity of DMN and limbic system in BDⅡ patients with depressive episode is abnormal in resting-state fMRI.The expression level of inflammatory cytokines in patients' serum increases, and has correlation with the functional connection of limbic system.
7.Molecular biological characteristics of the 2019 novel Coronavirus in Shijiazhuang
Huixia GAO ; Lin YANG ; Yun GUO ; Yicong WANG ; Yuzhen LIU ; Yue TANG ; Zhang HE ; Xinming LIANG ; Shunkai HUANG ; Peng GAO ; Ying HUANG ; Muwei DAI ; Zhi ZHANG ; Qian HU ; Yuling WANG ; Fang CHEN ; Erhei DAI ; Ping JIANG ; Yutao DU
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2022;45(6):637-641
Objective:To analyze the molecular epidemiological characteristics of the Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Shijiazhuang, which can reveal the origin of the outbreak and provide a scientific basis for COVID-19 prevention and control.Methods:From January 2 to January 8, 2021, a total of 404 samples from 170 COVID-19 cases were collected from the Shijiazhuang Fifth Hospital. The consensus sequence of 2019 novel Coronavirus(2019-nCoV) was obtained through multiplex polymerase chain reaction-based sequencing. The sequences of 170 COVID-19 cases were analyzed by the PANGOLIN, and the data were statistically analyzed by T-test.Results:Among the 404 COVID-19 samples, a total of 356 samples obtained high quality genome sequences (>95%,100×sequencing depth). The whole genome sequences of 170 COVID-19 cases were obtained by eliminating repeated samples. All 170 sequences were recognized as lineage B1.1 using PANGOLIN. The number of single nucleotide polymorphism arrange from 18-22 and most of the single nucleotide polymorphism were synonymous variants. All of 170 genomes could be classified into 48 sub-groups and most of the genomes were classified into 2 sub-groups (66 and 31, respectively).Conclusions:All cases in this study are likely originated from one imported case. The viruses have spread in the community for a long time and have mutated during the community transmission.
8.Changes of cerebral blood flow perfusion in bipolar disorder patients with suicidal ideation: a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study
Youling PAN ; Feng CHEN ; Guanmao CHEN ; Pan CHEN ; Yanbin JIA ; Shuming ZHONG ; Shunkai LAI ; Jurong WANG ; Zhenye LUO ; Guixian TANG ; Li HUANG ; Ying WANG
Chinese Journal of Psychiatry 2020;53(6):493-500
Objective:To compare the changes of cerebral blood flow (CBF) in bipolar disorder type Ⅱ patients with and without suicidal ideation.Methods:Pseudo-continuous arterial spin labelling (pCASL) was examined with resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI) on all subjects, CBF images of bipolar disorder type Ⅱ depression with suicidal ideation ( n=48), Bipolar Disorder type Ⅱ without suicidal ideation ( n=41), healthy controls ( n=62) at rest were collected. One-way ANOVA and Gaussian random field (GRF) were used to compare the CBF values between the groups to locate the regions with significant change. Results:Compared with the control group, CBF of left superior temporal gyrus (extending to the temporal pole) ( t=3.87, P<0.01; t=4.44, P<0.01) and left putamen ( t=4.04, P<0.01; t=3.19, P<0.01) increased in bipolar disorder type Ⅱ patients with and without suicidal ideation, and CBF of the right posterior cingulate gyrus (extending to the calcarine gyrus) decreased in bipolar disorder type Ⅱ patients with suicidal ideation( t=-4.66, P<0.01). Conclusions:There were abnormal CBF in left superior temporal gyrus and left putamen in bipolar disorder type Ⅱ patients with suicidal ideation and bipolar disorder type Ⅱ patients without suicidal ideation, while the decreased CBF in right posterior cingulate gyrus may be the specific brain change in bipolar disorder type Ⅱ patients with suicidal ideation.
9.Changes of cerebral blood flow perfusion in bipolar disorder patients with suicidal ideation: a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study
Youling PAN ; Feng CHEN ; Guanmao CHEN ; Pan CHEN ; Yanbin JIA ; Shuming ZHONG ; Shunkai LAI ; Jurong WANG ; Zhenye LUO ; Guixian TANG ; Li HUANG ; Ying WANG
Chinese Journal of Psychiatry 2020;53(6):493-500
Objective:To compare the changes of cerebral blood flow (CBF) in bipolar disorder type Ⅱ patients with and without suicidal ideation.Methods:Pseudo-continuous arterial spin labelling (pCASL) was examined with resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI) on all subjects, CBF images of bipolar disorder type Ⅱ depression with suicidal ideation ( n=48), Bipolar Disorder type Ⅱ without suicidal ideation ( n=41), healthy controls ( n=62) at rest were collected. One-way ANOVA and Gaussian random field (GRF) were used to compare the CBF values between the groups to locate the regions with significant change. Results:Compared with the control group, CBF of left superior temporal gyrus (extending to the temporal pole) ( t=3.87, P<0.01; t=4.44, P<0.01) and left putamen ( t=4.04, P<0.01; t=3.19, P<0.01) increased in bipolar disorder type Ⅱ patients with and without suicidal ideation, and CBF of the right posterior cingulate gyrus (extending to the calcarine gyrus) decreased in bipolar disorder type Ⅱ patients with suicidal ideation( t=-4.66, P<0.01). Conclusions:There were abnormal CBF in left superior temporal gyrus and left putamen in bipolar disorder type Ⅱ patients with suicidal ideation and bipolar disorder type Ⅱ patients without suicidal ideation, while the decreased CBF in right posterior cingulate gyrus may be the specific brain change in bipolar disorder type Ⅱ patients with suicidal ideation.
10. Application of preoperative endoscopic ultrasonography localization in adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction
Yongwei XIE ; Shunkai ZHOU ; Xuegang FENG ; Baoquan LIN ; Yongpeng HUANG ; Zaizhong ZHANG ; Yu WANG ; Shengsheng YANG
Chinese Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2019;35(10):612-616
Objective:
Preliminary study on the clinical effect of preoperative ultrasound endoscopy combined with staining labeling technique to locate the actual boundary of esophageal and gastric cancer
Methods:
From September 1, 2015 to October 30, 2017, 18 patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma were enrolled in this study. The actual boundaries of esophageal and gastric-derived adenocarcinoma lesions were localized by endoscopic ultrasonography and staining. There were 10 males and 8 females. After completing the preoperative examination, 1-2 days before operation, endoscopic ultrasonography was used to locate the edge of the lesion. Two point injection of carbon nano suspension was used to mark the location of 1cm at the longest distance from the longitudinal axis of the tumor. According to the length of longitudinal axial staining, the thoracotomy was performed. Intraoperative proximal margin resection was used to send frozen pathology. According to the results of freezing, the operation was decided. After the operation, the specimens from the margin of the tumor were segmented into paraffin section, which was about 0.5cm in each segment, and the tumor cells were observed under the electron microscope at all levels of the paraffin sections.
Results:
The average time of preoperative endoscopic ultrasonography staining was(10.16±1.38) min, and the diameter of nano carbon diffusion was(1.43±0.41)cm. All patients in the operation could clearly see the nano carbon staining area under the naked eye. In the field, the average time of locating lesions was(1.27±0.53)min. 5 patients underwent thoracoabdominal surgery and 13 underwent abdominal surgery. The average length of the cut margin of the tumor was(4.74±1.12)cm, and the frozen pathology of the incision margin was negative, and no additional operation was performed. The routine pathology confirmed that all the specimens were negative.
Conclusion
The staining and labeling technique for adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction under endoscopic ultrasonography can detect the tumor edge and the scope of invasion accurately. It provides guidance and guarantee for the smooth implementation of AEG precision surgery. It is a safe, rapid and effective positioning technique.

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